CIS Control 4.11: Enforce Remote Wipe Capability on Portable End-User Devices
Lost or stolen laptops and mobile devices pose severe data breach risks. CIS Control 4.11 requires organizations to implement remote wipe functionality—the ability to erase enterprise data from devices when they're compromised, lost, or when employees depart. This control is essential for protecting sensitive information regardless of device location.
What this means
Remote wipe capability enables your organization to remotely erase enterprise data from portable devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) when authorized. This includes situations where devices are lost, stolen, or when an employee no longer works for the company. The goal is to prevent unauthorized access to company data while maintaining the ability to recover or repurpose hardware without data exposure.
How to comply
- 1.Deploy Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Endpoint Management solutions that support remote wipe functionality across all portable devices
- 2.Define clear policies specifying when remote wipe is authorized (device loss, theft, termination, security incidents)
- 3.Ensure all portable devices used for enterprise purposes are enrolled in remote wipe-capable management tools before deployment
- 4.Test remote wipe procedures regularly to verify functionality and speed of data erasure
- 5.Document all remote wipe incidents including device, timestamp, authorization, and verification of data removal
- 6.Establish escalation procedures for approving remote wipe requests and maintaining audit trails
- 7.Configure selective wipe options to preserve personal data while removing enterprise information when appropriate
Evidence auditors look for
- MDM/EMM console configuration showing remote wipe capability enabled for all enrolled devices
- Policy documentation defining remote wipe authorization criteria and approval workflows
- Device enrollment reports confirming all portable devices are registered in management systems
- Remote wipe test results with timestamps demonstrating successful data erasure
- Incident logs showing authorized wipe events with supporting documentation and verification
- Asset inventory matching managed devices to wipe-capable platforms
- User acknowledgment records confirming employees understand remote wipe policies
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch centralizes MDM and endpoint compliance status, automatically tracks which devices have remote wipe enabled, flags devices missing management enrollment, and generates audit reports for remote wipe incidents—eliminating manual spreadsheets and verification delays.
See how GRCWatch handles this control automatically
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